God's Got Different Plans

Approximately one year ago, Jordan and I discovered that we were expecting our first child. After taking the home pregnancy test, I cried.  Honestly, they were not necessarily tears of joy.  Instead, they were tears of fear, tears of the unexpected, tears of my plans being changed. You see, in the month prior to finding out we were pregnant, Jordan and I had been seriously praying about international adoption. In fact, we had already done the research: which adoption agency we would like, which home-study organization we wanted to come into our home, weighing the costs. The application was actually all ready to be mailed in, just waiting for a $400 check to be written and sent along with it. We truly believed that this was something the Lord was calling us to do. Our hearts ached for orphan children who had no hope; we wanted to bring them hope and give them a home.

But obviously, the LORD had a different plan in mind. And at first, I wasn’t sure I liked that plan. In all honestly, I loved the idea of an adventurous adoption – despite the financial cost, as well as the time, effort, and energy to be invested. And African children are just plain beautiful. So hearing that our adoption plans would have to be put on hold was a bit of a shock for me. I wasn’t planning on having a child; we were planning on adopting one. Having my plans changed can be annoying at times.

Reading through some Proverbs this last week, I was struck by the truth of this verse lived out in our lives this past year:

“The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

As I look back over the twelve months, I am so glad the LORD has different plans than we do. His plan was to bring Ezekiel into our lives – and what a joy, what a blessing his little 16-week self is! For whatever reason, the LORD decided we needed Zeke first, before any adoptions could take place. Who knows, maybe He’ll lead us down that path in the future. That’s in His hands – not ours. But I am so grateful that the Lord blessed us with Zeke. So, so grateful.

Sometimes, we have good ideas. Good plans. But if they’re not God’s ideas, God’s plans – then they aren’t the best. Remember that next time something doesn’t go the way you planned it out. Just wait and see what the Lord has in store for you – it could be better than you’ve ever imagined.

“'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”  - Isaiah 55:10-11
 “It is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’” – 1 Corinthians 2:9

SOAP

Have you ever wondered where to begin, or how to stay on track when doing your daily devotions? Lately, I had hit a rut, where I read, but that was all it ends up being. I don't go away refreshed in God's Word, or really get focused during that time.

The other day I found a guideline for my time with Jesus, called SOAP, which has both helped me to stay focused and take the time to meditate on His words to me as we talk. Let me explain...

NOTE: It is good to have a journal or notebook for this. I have noticed that when I write down things, I remember it better, but even better yet, a month or year later, I can go back and see what God was doing in my life then, and what He has done in my life since. Also, it also helps you to meditate on God's word, rather than just read it and be done. 

Pick a book of the Bible to go through over the next few weeks or months, depending on how long the book is. Take it a few verses at a time, like a paragraph, or few sentences, etc. Eventually, you will have the whole book written down in your journal, with all that you have learned. 

SCRIPTURE: First, write down the scripture that you are studying for the day. 

OBSERVATION: Write down one or two things that you see in the passage. 

APPLICATION: Write down one or two ways you can specifically apply these verses to your life today

PRAYER: Pray about your applications, pray the scripture, and bring other requests to the Lord - and write them down!. Our time spent with Him is to be a conversation. Take time to let Him talk to you, and you talk to Him. 

This is just one way of many that we can stay focused as we grow in our Lord through devotions. God longs for us to be with Him, to build a relationship with Him. If you have other ways that work great for you, share them, and we can help and encourage each other in our walk with Jesus!

Get Rock Solid Confidence from a Pile of Stones

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, "Till now the Lord has helped us." I Samuel 7:12

Since the birth of my nephew Eben James Friestad last week, the word, Ebenezer has been churning in my mind. 

"The word "ebenezer" comes from Hebrew and is actually two words pronounced together, Even Haazer. Literally speaking, an Ebenezer is a "stone of help," or a reminder of God’s Real, Holy Presence and Divine aid. Spiritually and theologically speaking, an Ebenezer can be nearly anything that reminds us of God’s presence and help: the Bible, the Sacramental Elements, a cross, a picture, a fellow believer, a hymn – those things which serve as reminders of God’s love, God’s Real Presence, and God’s assistance are 'Ebenezers.'" Dr. Gregory S. Neal, What's An Ebenezer

The past hold an immense ability to increase our faith. Looking back upon God's previous faithfulness in our lives, our confidence in His future faithfulness is radically strengthened. Unfortunately, we quickly forget His providential hand in our lives. God knows we have short memories--which is exactly why, in the Old Testament, He often commanded His people to erect memorials (stones, pillars, altars, items in the Ark of the Covenant, etc). These served as visual reminders of specific events in which the Lord had worked.

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, Joshua commanded them, "

"take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder . . . that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord . . . these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever." Josh. 4:5-7

Raising an Ebenezer serves two purposes. 1) To remind God's people what He has done; 2) To elicit the curiosity of others. 

Psalm 96:2 says it well, "Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day." As we reflect upon His faithfulness, we can't help but, 1) bless His name and, 2) desire to testify of His faithfulness. 

In what ways have you set up visual reminders of God's hand in your own life? A piece of jewelry, wall art, a coffee table ornament, a photo, or maybe some scribbles in the margin of your Bible can all serve such a purpose. Journaling is probably one of the best ways to "set up a memorial"--something that can be read in times of doubt, fear, and despair. A beautiful story of faithfulness that can be passed on for generations.

This week, raise an Ebenezer to God's faithfulness in an area of your life. If you would, leave some feedback and let me know what you've chosen to use and why.

"Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by thy help I come." 

Come Thou Fount, Robert Robinson, 1757